Procedure for undergong a gestational carrier cycle at IVF1

Gestational Carrier Criteria:

• 21 years of age or older
• Must have given birth previously
• Must complete psychological evaluation / her spouse or partner needs this too
• Obtain legal counsel  (Must use different lawyer than intended parent / parents use)
• If she is married her husband must sign legal contract as well
• Medical evaluation
  • Infectious disease screening
  • Uterine cavity assessment
• She must have health insurance that covers her through 8 weeks after delivery  (The intended parents must purchase this for the gestational carrier if she does not have it)

Intended Parent or Parents Criteria:

• He, She or They must contribute at least one of the gametes that create the pregnancy that will be carried.
  • This means the law doesn't cover using
    
    • Donor embryo with a gestational carrier
    • Donor  egg combined with donor sperm with a gestational carrier
• He, She or They must have a medical need for a carrier
• He, She or They must complete a mental health evaluation
• He, She or They must have legal representation (separate from the carrier)

It is the policy of IVF1 that the gestational carrier will NOT be seen until the gestational surrogacy contract is COMPLETED and executed by both parties. 

 

With this in mind, we recommend the following sequence for intended parents and gestational carriers

 

• Step 1 Intended parents - Schedule a consultation with Dr. Morris without the gestational carrier
  • At the direction of Dr. Morris, the intended parents may complete their necessary testing. Note: Per FDA regulations, each partner who contributes gametes is considered a "donor" and they must complete testing to minimize the risk of infectious disease transmission. A couple who "fails" this testing may not be allowed to use a gestational carrier. Testing includes:
    • Completion of questionairres by both partners
    • Physical exams for both partners
    • Blood testing for both partners
    • Urine or cervical cultures for the female
  • A second set of questionairres and blood / urine tests will be completed after medication treatment has begun. A couple who fails the second tests may not be allowed to use a gestational carrier.
• Step 2 Intended parents - Find the gestational carrier.
• Step 3 Intended parents and Gestational carrier - Retain the services of an attorney who specializes in reproductive law
• Step 4 Intended parents and Gestational carrier - complete the mental health evaluation
• Step 5 Intended parents and Gestational carrier - finalize and execute the carrier contract
• Step 6 Intended parents and Gestational carrier - Direct the attorneys for each side to send a letter to Dr. Morris stating that the carrier contract has been executed in accordance with Illinois state law
• Step 7 Intended parents and Gestational carrier - Direct the mental health professional to send a final assessment letter to Dr. Morris. This must include the statement: "This person / couple is an acceptable candidate to proceed with gestational surrogacy"
• Step 8 Gestational carrier - Schedule an appointment with Dr. Morris. Be sure to specify that you are a gestational carrier and tell us the name of the intended parents.
  • Potential carriers will not be allowed to schedule an appointment until
    • The statement from both attorneys has been received that the contract is executed
    • The statement from the mental health professionals that all invovled parties are acceptable to proceed with gestational surrogacy
  • Potential carriers should forward a copy of their medical records from ALL previous pregnancies OR a letter from their obstetrician that there is no contrainidcation to pregnancy
• Step 9 Gestational carrier - complete testing as directed by Dr. Morris. This may include:
  • Infectious disease testing
  • Blood type
  • Uterine cavity assessment
• Step 10 Intended parents and Gestational carrier - Schedule appointments to sign consent forms in the office
• Step 11 Intended paretns and Gestational carrier - Medication treatment may begin